Episode #15
The Wonder and Whimsy of Local Posts—With Kevin Blackston & Sydney Stephenson
We're back folks! And while Sam has been on/off the road in recent weeks, we're very excited to have a special guest co-host this week on the show: Sydney Stephenson of Austin, Texas. Sydney—artist, nurse, and yoga teacher—also happens to be the Proprietor/Postmaster/Chief Coolness Officer of a new local post, Opie's North Loop Private Post. In this episode, we learn all about the wonder and whimsy of local posts—their history, their art and eccentricities, and their many modern incarnations—through the eyes of one of the country's most prolific modern local posters: Kevin Blackston of Philosateleian Post. We also chat about the show's own newly-launched local post, the Columbia Pike Express Company, in Arlington, VA. Hope you enjoy! And as always, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at: P.O. Box 26 Grant Central Station New York, NY 10163 (Or digitally, at: birthstampsdeath@gmail.com) Links: Columbia Pike Express Company (the show’s new local post) Locals in Imperial Russia (Smithsonian) Philosateleian Post (Kevin’s local post) Opie’s North Loop Private Post (Sydney’s local post) On local posts, carriers and locals, modern local posts, etc. (Wikipedia) Barrett’s Too (coffee shop in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood) More on the history of local posts (classic and modern) by Casey Jo White (APS) The Local Post Collectors Society (LCPS) Sydney’s painting of the historic Arlington Post Office (and Opie stamps!) (Episode Gallery) “West Like Lightning: the Brief, Legendary Ride of the Pony Express” (Jim DeFelice’s book) The famous Trans-Mississippi Exposition issues of 1898 (Smithsonian) Rattle Snake Island Local Post (RILP)
